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■ IMHX review
IMHX proves a
BIG success
More than 18,000 visitors came through the doors of the NEC in Birmingham recently for
the triannual International Materials Handling Exhibition, which once again surpassed all
expectations, proving a fantastic success. We look at some of the show highlights below.
shows. Running as used in fork lifts – to power the boat when
under the slogan the record attempt is made on Coniston Water
‘Inspiring in November. The team behind the bid is the
Materials same one which set a new world record of
Handling 68.09 mph in November 2005 with the boat
eXcellence’, ‘An Stradag’, also powered by CMP batteries.
IMHX yet again This time the team and pilot, 25-year-old Helen
featured all the Loney, hope to smash the 100 mph barrier with
industry’s major their brand-new hydroplane. CMP’s stand also
players, many of promoted the environmental credentials of its
whom presented ‘clean, quiet power’ product range. The firm
live and unveiled its new product rating system at
dyn=amic IMHX, which awards each model a rating –
demonstrations between one and seven globes – on the criteria
on their stands. of energy usage and recyclability. Commented
With more than 18,000 visitors over four The Premier Club Lounge, with Nigel Darke, CMP’s business director:
days, the organisers of the International refreshments and internet facilities, and the “Increasingly, customers are interested in their
Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) and exclusive VIP valet parking service – carbon footprint because they need to reduce
the show’s 336 exhibitors were toasting its sponsored by Jungheinrich – proved extremely production costs and because their customers,
success as the four day exhibition closed on popular new features. Commented Steve in turn, are demanding environmentally-sound
Friday 16th March. Said Paul Michael, Hodkinson – president of BITA, co-owners of production solutions.”
managing director of organisers Quartz the show with Quartz – “I’m delighted with the This year’s Toyota stand featured the
Publishing and Exhibitions: “We’re exhibition, which seems to get bigger and company’s latest innovations in materials
absolutely delighted with the visitor better every time. The quality of the stands has handling plus the popular Formula 1 simulator,
numbers and our exhibitors are telling us been matched by the quality of the visitors and giving visitors the chance to put their racing
that the UK’s premier logistics event has yet the VIP parking has been extremely effective.” skills to the test. Fork lifts on show included
again delivered high-quality leads.” the Generation 7 IC truck, recently revealed as
Over a total footprint of 45,000 sq. m, Show highlights one of the most popular fork lifts in the world,
IMHX was a showcase for thousands of Former England rugby union player, Matt with sales passing the 250,000 mark. Toyota
products and services from all sectors of the Dawson MBE, helped Doosan Infracore to also showcased its ‘ground-breaking’ fuel cell
handling and storage industry, with many launch its new range of fork lifts – the diesel, hybrid fork lift prototype, FCHV-F, the first to
exhibitors rising to the challenge of presenting gas and electric Pro-5 series – on the be developed by a fork lift manufacturer. Using
BIG ideas to make logistics more efficient and Wednesday of the show. Matt, the most capped hydrogen as its main power source, a fuel cell
cost-effective. The BIG Draw, a new feature of England scrum half ever and runner-up in last fork lift produces electricity without
IMHX, caused much excitement, with year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ final, signed combustion and generates zero CO2 emissions.
hundreds of prizes on offer to visitors, rugby balls for visitors to the Doosan stand. The company also unveiled a new fork lift fleet
including donations from organisers Quartz to The company exhibited 11 of its new Pro-5 management service, I_Site, designed to reduce
Comic Relief to tie in with Red Nose Day on series of diesel and electric trucks from its 99- costs and enhance productivity, at the show.
the Friday of the show. strong range. This system allows information such as
Spanning halls 17, 18, 19 and 20, IMHX was The speedboat which will attempt to beat the authorised drivers, daily working hours, entry
this time co-located with the Cleaning Show, a world record with electric power was exhibited into restricted zones and damage incidents to
move which proved highly successful, with on the stand of Chloride Motive Power. CMP be recorded and fed into customized reports.
excellent crossover of visitors between the two will be supplying the batteries – the same type Said Toyota’s md, Steve Hodkinson: “We’re
24 ShD April 2007
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